that when a city is under siege, it should not be surrounded from all four sides.
“The Rambam rules that even during the siege, when resources are being cut off, a city should not be surrounded from all four sides. One side must be left open so people can escape and live.”
One side must be left open, so people can escape and save their lives.
This applies even when restricting resources during a siege.
When people have a way out, there is less desperation, less destruction, and a greater chance the city is not left in ruins after the war.
